The yearly CBS Sports Classic has steadily become a bucket list event for college hoops fans, pitting blue bloods and bitter rivals in early season matchups with major implications. Kentucky and North Carolina continued that trend Saturday, tangling in a seesaw thriller that saw the 14th-ranked Wildcats outlast the No. 9 Heels 87-83 in Atlanta.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair throughout, with neither heavyweight able to gain much separation. Forward Aaron Bradshaw proved pivotal for Kentucky, crashing the glass to tip in a clutch putback and earn foul shots in the final minute. His free throws put the Cats ahead 85-81 in the closing seconds.
Guards D.J. Wagner and Rob Dillingham also hit huge jumpers down the stretch, staving off the Tar Heel comeback effort. Dillingham’s free throw made it 86-83 Kentucky with 12 seconds left, essentially sealing the result.
Dillingham paced an balanced Kentucky attack with 17 points. Wagner and Bradshaw added 14 and 12 points, respectively, while guard Reed Sheppard chipped in 11 off the bench. Wagner dished out 5 assists as well, facilitating for a Cats squad that showed impressive resolve.
North Carolina was fueled by RJ Davis’ 27 points, though preseason All-American Armando Bacot was limited to just 9 points in a matchup with Kentucky’s talented young frontcourt.
In the end, it was the Wildcats who prevailed behind timely shot-making and just enough stops. The victory propels Kentucky to 8-2 ahead of next week’s rivalry clash with Louisville.